Page 24 of Heat of Justice (Duty #3)

Granted, this sudden surge of sensitive ability was not entirely welcome for Kim. But she put it down to a consequence of her rapidly unfolding relationship with Cody and the significant emotional opening associated with that. She had no intention of fighting it. Looking back on the last few years of her life, she could not dispute the fact that she had totally shut down after the sexual assault. Understandably, of course… She had moved –actually, fled– all the way to Lewiston, buried herself in a different kind of work, and become a wounded recluse. If not outwardly, at least definitely within her own mind. Now, Kim understood that she was being given a chance to move on from this. Her bond with Cody was too rare and precious, too much of a gift, to resist embracing completely. The connection was also tremendously healing. Given the option to remain as she was, Kim would not want to. Being with Cody was both exciting and reassuring in equal measure. The sex was amazing. Cody was kind and thoughtful, naturally charming, with a romantic streak a mile wide. Simply beautiful. If she happened to be called out on a job in the middle of the night, which occurred often enough, Kim would wake up to discover a little note on the fridge or the kitchen table. Either sending good wishes for whatever sensitive work meeting she may have scheduled later or just reminding her to take time to eat a proper breakfast. Cody enjoyed looking after her. Kim liked to reciprocate. She messaged her at odd times during the day just to check in and say hello. Cody sent her flowers at the office. Gladys got a kick out of that. ’I know they are for you, Ms. Reed,’ she would chuckle, ‘but they brighten the whole office and warm my heart just as much.’

When Cody picked her up for an impromptu lunch in town, when they both could spare the time, she delivered the flowers in person. Kim had met her young friend, Anna; the kid was a delight. They went out for dinner with her and her mom. There was a beach party with the usual gang, and they had Ellie and Janet over for dinner one night. All good personal breaks in between periods of intense work. Kim was used to that. Before meeting Cody, she used to spend seven days a week at the office and did not think anything of it. But now, the two women made sure to take at least one day per week for rest and each other. As Kim continued to come out of her shell, she felt behind her the reassuring weight of a community. She was, as Cody told her, a part of her cop family now. It meant a lot. Kim relaxed into the feeling, and the joy of starting a new life with a woman she was falling more and more in love with everyday. She blossomed. When the nightmares started, they were easy enough to dismiss at first. Sadly, as time went on, not so much… and the joy of starting a new life with a woman she was falling more and more in love with every day

◆◆◆

Cody came home late, tired, and a little frustrated that night. She was working a new high-profile case with her partner, and not getting anywhere fast with it. Two homeless people had recently been discovered dead at two different remote beach areas on the outskirts of town. Each was missing a different organ. The first one, his heart; the other, his right lung. The used-up, mutilated bodies were tossed into public containers like so much trash. Not surprisingly, it did not take long for the press to get hold of the story and turn it into a sensational piece of news, spreading the idea that a vicious serial killer was at work in the area. Though the theory was sound in principle, the obsessive way it kept being reported in the media, over and over on a crazy loop, only increased public fear and paranoia. The pressure was on to catch the killer, obviously.

“We’re looking at all angles,” Cody shared that evening as she and Kim sat down to eat. It was the first time since breakfast at six A.M. for her, she only realized now. The smell of fresh warm bread almost brought her to her knees. “Did you bake this?” she asked, prompting her lover to laugh.

“I don’t bake on weekdays, darling. Just bought a loaf on my way home and stuck it in the oven.”

“It’s divine.” Cody spoke with her mouth full and promptly reached for another slice. “But of course, it takes time.”

“Baking? Oh, yeah.”

“No, I mean the investigation. Ah...” Cody shook her head, irritated at what struck her to be insensitive. “Sorry, babe. I know you had a full day at work too. The last thing you must want is to hear me moan about my job, eh!”

“It’s okay.” Kim stood behind her, tipped her head back by running her fingers through her hair, and kissed her softly on the lips. “I always like to hear about your work, so keep going.” Her eyes sparkled as she chuckled. “Besides, making you moan is my job. I’ll take care of it later.”

In a flash, Cody forgot about her empty stomach. Her lover looked like a dream in white, flowing yoga pants, and a simple tank top.

“If you like, we could skip right to that part,” she offered.

“Very tempting, Detective, but no.” Kim laughed, escaping easily when she attempted to pull her onto her lap. “You need to follow your own advice and fuel up properly. Plus, I really do want to hear about this new case of yours.”

“Missing the criminal side of lawyering, are you?” Cody prompted.

“A little bit, yes.” Kim placed a plate of steaming lasagna in front of her and granted another, albeit brief, kiss. “Go on, let’s hear it.”

“Okay. Well, another rumor started to go around that there is a new Dr Frankenstein out there, trying to build a body out of parts he’s stealing.”

“Old tales never go away, do they?”

“That’s right. And this one has a modern twist.”

“You want some extra cheese?”

“Yes, thanks.” Cody grinned as she took it, applied a liberal layer over the already cheesy lasagna, and passed it back to her. “The manufactured body is supposed to be for an AI.”

“I’m not sure I quite follow you there.”

“The rumors say the body is for an AI brain to become fully alive in it.”

“Oh…” Kim frowned, looking stunned for an instant, then she shook her head and let out an ironic chuckle. “Wow!”

“Yeah, that’s what I said. Some people actually believe this crazy stuff.”

“I guess it’s a sign of the weird and wonderful times we’re living in, isn’t it?”

“That’s for sure.”

“I assume you’re looking at the organ trade?”

“Yes, definitely.” Cody smiled again, this time with pride. Nothing crazy about her lover, for sure. Kim was on the ball, a quick and smart thinker. As far as Cody was concerned, this was beyond sexy. “We have several interesting leads related to that, and following through,” she confirmed. “There’s just not enough hours in the day to get it done all in one go.”

“I know how hard you and Ellie work, though. You’ll get there,” Kim assured confidently. “At the same time, sleep and food are not optional.”

“No, I know.” Cody squeezed her hand. “Hey, thanks for waiting up for me tonight.”

“Of course, darling.”

“And for the lasagna.”

“You’re welcome. Just not sure I like that you’re making me sound like a dutiful housewife from the 50s.”

“Oh, is this what I’m doing?” Cody chuckled, amused at the little flash of temper. “I’d say domestic goddess, more like.”

“Huh. Better.” Though Kim sounded far from impressed.

“Anyway, it was a compliment, you know?” Cody went on, enjoying teasing her.

“Then leave the word ‘ domestic ’ out of it. All I did was pull lasagna out of the freezer and stick it in the oven with the bread. No big deal.” Kim shrugged.

“Look at you, all sulky,” Cody laughed.

“Well, just saying. I didn’t do much.”

“Still, the lasagna did not get in the freezer by accident. You have a problem accepting compliments from your girlfriend?”

“No. Does the girlfriend know when to quit?”

“Not yet.” Cody grinned. “You know I’m right.”

With an ironic roll of the eyes, Kim capitulated. “Alright, Officer ‘ I-Have-To-Have-The-Last-Word ’. I guess I’d be okay being called a goddess from time to time.”

“It’s Detective . And you do look like one to me, Ms. Reed.”

“In this case, and since you were good and ate up all your food…” Kim stood up with a sultry smile. “You can do your job in the shower.”

Cody followed instantly as if drawn to her by a magnetic string.

“What job?” she asked.

Kim stopped long enough on her way to deliver a scorching glance over her shoulder.

“Worshipping me, of course. As your goddess.”

That look, so unapologetically sexual, the alluring flush of color across her cheeks, and her words certainly sent a flurry of tingles straight down between Cody’s legs. Any fatigue she may have felt after the long day, or frustration at her seeming lack of quicker progress, vanished like a puff of smoke. And she sure got her wish in the shower, as Kim playfully instructed her to get to work.

“Wash me. Just use your hands.”

Cody grabbed the soap and got to work, gliding her hands over hot, smooth, chocolate skin. She took her time and enjoyed eliciting the odd shiver of pleasure, a smile, and an alluring sparkle in her lover’s dark eyes.

“I see you take your work to heart, Detective.”

“Your pleasure is my only focus, my queen.”

Kim chuckled low and deep in her throat. “Mm… Nice.”

She massaged her fingers into her wet hair and dispensed a tender, tantalizing kiss. Cody could feel a slight vibration under her own fingers, Kim’s slow build-up of arousal. So beautiful! She prompted another kiss, swiftly granted, and lost herself in the sublime sensation of being touched and caressed in return. Kim lingered over her breasts, cupping each one in the palm of her hands, then squeezing gently and rolling her nipples. Her eyes twinkled again with her next gentle command.

“On your knees, darling.”

Jesus Christ! Cody sank between her thighs with a grateful heart. To think she’d come to believe that life without this kind of relationship would be okay… Of course, she had been scared to allow herself to love again. But when Kim walked into her life, she never stood a chance. Love struck again, slicing through the fear as cleanly and easily as a blade through the water. There was never any real choice… And yes, Cody was grateful. Immensely so.

“I want you to kiss me slow.” Kim was not done dispensing instructions. “Right there, yes. Suckle me gently.”

Cody discovered that she enjoyed being told what to do and how to pleasure her partner exactly in the way she preferred. Kim's direct and descriptive manner was a major turn-on, and she was definitely good at it.

“Kiss my clitoris. Use the tip of your tongue. Good girl.”

Cody shocked herself at how the last two words made her clench and shiver. Kim noticed.

“Did you like that?” she purred.

“Yes.”

“Are you wet?”

“Dripping.”

“Mm.” Her lover gripped her hair just hard enough to feel good, prompting her to glance up. Kim’s arousal was obvious in the heat of her eyes and her slow, eager smile. “Good girl,” she repeated, causing Cody to shudder. “Now, keep your focus.”

Cody loved being told. She put her heart and soul into the exercise and was fiercely pleased when Kim eventually stopped being able to utter any words. Her partner leaned against the shower wall, holding on to the sides for balance. Her thighs were tight and shaking. She was pulsing, whimpering, undulating to the sucking rhythm she imposed. Cody was back in charge and saw her through a ripping orgasm.

“Say it again,” she dared to ask once Kim’s breath was back.

“What?” the gorgeous woman teased.

“You know.”

“I think I do...” Kim wrapped her arms around her, brushed her lips tenderly on a particularly sensitive spot behind her ear, and murmured. “Good girl, Cody. My girl.”

Cody lost her own breath just on that. Her legs threatened to give way. Realizing this, Kim took her to bed and treated her to a lazy, sensual massage and a toe-curling orgasm to finish. Cody melted into sleep on wings of pure pleasure but woke up to a sharp scream in the middle of the night. Shit. Shit! Reaching instinctively for her weapon on the nightstand, she let it go when she realized that her partner was having a nightmare. Bad one, it sounded like.

“Babe. Kim.” She laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder, only for Kim to struggle against her.

“Cody!” she cried at the same time.

“Yes, I’m here. Wake up, you’re dreaming.”

“No, no… Don’t!”

Her eyes were wide open, but she seemed lost in whatever dream she was having. Cody gave her a little shake, gentle but firm.

“Come on now.”

“No…”

“Kim. Wake up!”

“The fire,” Kim mumbled. “Don’t go over there. Please, no, Cody!”

Her eyes shone with vivid fear. Catching desperation in her voice as well, Cody pulled her into her arms and held on tight. She tried to get through to her. “Wake up. It’s a dream. Open your eyes.”

It took a while, longer than it should have, but Kim finally came to with a bad start, a single word on her lips.

“Cody?”

“Right here, darling.”

Breathing hard, her skin hot to the touch, though no longer from desire, Kim cupped her face in both hands. She stared hard and deep, as if not sure she could believe her eyes.

“I’m with you,” Cody repeated gently. “It’s alright.”

“Are you okay?” Kim spoke in a trembling voice.

“Yes, I’m fine.”

“You’re not hurt?”

“No,” Cody insisted, a little concerned now at the intensity of her emotions. “I’m alright. Kim, you just had a bad dream. I’m okay. See?”